We have the opportunity to continue the dialogue and discuss ways we can create social change. Sexual violence is an epidemic and is a victimization experienced by all ages, genders, ethnicities, and socioeconomic groups. The damage is deep and the pain that results is incredibly real. Whether you vow to be an active bystander, reflect on how you treat others, or advocate for those who have suffered in silence, we ask you to use your voice and demand better treatment of others.

Many of you have shared #MeToo as your status. We applaud your bravery and stand with you. Whether or not you’ve shared your story on social media, please know we are here, around-the-clock, to help you as you go through your healing journey. Call 407-500-HEAL to reach our 24/7 confidential helpline.

When the worst tragedy occurred, you showed your steadfast support to aid those most in need. For that, we are eternally grateful.

Our team was shocked and saddened by the senseless act of the Pulse shooting which took 49 lives, injured countless others, and destroyed our great community’s sense of peace and safety. In the early morning hours of darkness, we came together in an inspiring, powerful way that showed the world true strength, unity, and compassion.

We received the call to respond to Orlando Regional Medical Center to provide crisis support to the victims and their families. “We were all shocked by what had happened but we knew we had the skills to help the survivors and the families of the deceased cope with their trauma and grief,” said Kristin, VSC’s first staff member to respond to the call. Upon learning the magnitude and severity of the tragedy, our entire crisis response team was quickly mobilized to be with the families as they awaited news on the status of their loved ones.

Our team worked side by side with the FBI, FDLE, and other law enforcement agencies as information was released to family members. “Our staff was uniquely qualified to respond to the tragedy and took on the significant responsibility of notifying families that their loved one did not survive the attack,” said JoEllen, VSC’s Program Director. We were able to provide support to the families not only through our counseling services, but also by arranging transportation and lodging, making funeral arrangements, and assisting with other needs. Your generous contributions allowed our team to be on the front lines helping families begin to put the broken pieces of their lives back together.

Many of the victims and their families were Spanish speaking, which created additional fear, not knowing if others would be able to understand them when they expressed their pain. “Being bilingual and Hispanic, I was able to console them and provide the emotional support they needed in their native language to offer comfort and strength,” said Indhira, one of the VSC’s bilingual crisis counselors.

In the weeks following the shooting, the Orlando United Assistance Center opened to help victims and their families navigate the system and receive long-term support. We now have a therapist and victim advocate stationed at the OUAC providing support to the victims and their loved ones. “Emotional healing from a trauma is a long and painful journey. We are here to provide compassionate, individualized services for the victims and their loved ones; to walk with them hand in hand to recover a sense of power over their lives,” said Lucy, VSC’s Pulse therapist.

Because of you, our team had the resources to respond to the worst mass shooting in our great country’s history. Because of you, we have been able to provide free, unlimited, and confidential services to Pulse victims and their families. Because of you, we will continue to serve anyone needing our services, for as long as they are needed.

“We couldn’t be more proud to stand together with you to help heal our amazing community,” said Lui Damiani, VSC’s Executive Director. Thank you for your
unwavering support.

With sincere gratitude,

The Victim Service Center Team

With holiday gatherings right around the corner, many people may find that their expectations for a good time as well as their anxiety regarding the people, places, and topics that may or may not present themselves can seemingly cripple a person’s ability to enjoy what are supposed to be the merriest times of the year. Holiday gatherings aren’t always what we hope they will be, whether they are work functions, family celebrations, or spontaneous get-togethers with old hometown friends. When dealing with a situation that you feel may trigger your memories of a sexual victimization, it’s important to give yourself permission to do what you need to do to take care of yourself. In some situations this may mean arriving with a prepared excuse in hand for when you are ready to leave, and it may mean declining an invitation altogether. Below are some tips to help you take full advantage of the holiday gatherings you will be invited to attend, while maintaining your boundaries and continuing to take care of yourself first.

1. Prepare for opportunities, for example if there is a family member you rarely see that you would like to speak to, make a plan for when may be a good time to pull the person aside and what you might want to say.
2. Similarly, prepare for deficits. For example, if there is a specific family member who may or may not be there who has been known to act in a way that makes you uncomfortable, prepare multiple tools to take care of yourself.
3. If you are attending a gathering that you are unsure of how you will react to the people or even the place, prepare a specific and simple excuse to use if you become uncomfortable and wish to leave early. Give yourself permission to use it.
4. Set an alarm or two on your phone as a reminder to check in on yourself and take a breather from the festivities. This can be as simple as going to the bathroom. Splash some cold water on your face, or your wrists, or the back of your neck.
5. Ask a close friend to text you at a specific time to check in on you and give you an exit strategy if you need it.
6. Carry a small interesting tactile object like a stone or a penny to use as a grounding object.
7. Carry a travel sized lotion or essential oil of a calming scent such as lavender that you can dab on your wrists to center yourself.
8. If you start to feel overwhelmed at a gathering, go outside for some fresh air.

While the holidays are about giving, they are still a time when it remains of the utmost importance to take care of you. Listen to your mind and your body-you know what you need. All you need to do is to acknowledge your value and give yourself permission to put yourself first.

I am writing to express my sincerest gratitude to the Victim Service Center of Central Florida and most particularly, my Therapist, Theresa. I would be remiss if I did not take the time to say “Thank You!” Theresa proved to be God-sent to me during a most difficult time in my life. She was professional, attentive, warm, caring and effective as she walked me out of the darkness and back into the light. I will be forever grateful for her and your organization!

When I first visited VSC for my first appointment, I felt so helpless, overwhelmed and confused about how to overcome the aftermath of sexual assault and harassment. I had undergone victim blaming and had started succumbing to all the emotional and psychological pressures. Theresa validated that I was the victim and helped me understand and cope with the situation. So many blessings and so much healing came with every session until I felt strong again. She also prepared me for any triggers that could blind-side me and send me back into emotional turmoil.

In addition to my healing concerning sexual assault and harassment in the workplace, Theresa was instrumental in encouraging a conversation with my younger sister who had been sexually assaulted as a child. After I left my session with Theresa on that particular day, I called my sister. I was finally able to understand her pain and why she had not fully healed after 30 plus years. Some of her behaviors and attitudes toward men were harsh, even if they loved her dearly. Most importantly, my sister lived with the fact that I did not fully understand how traumatic the experience was for her, and that in itself was a burden she was still carrying. That day on the phone, we cried and cried as we shared our feelings and experience. God was in the midst because we realized in that moment a heavy weight caused by misunderstanding and resentment had finally been lifted. I truly thank Theresa for being a vessel and having the insight to know my sister’s situation was not so unique to my own. What was meant for bad turned out to be for our good. I am confident Theresa can relate to this statement on a spiritual level.

I engaged in my final session with Theresa last week. It was indeed bittersweet. I will miss her and our sessions. I so enjoyed having her as my therapist. She was absolutely awesome. I wish her all the best with her future endeavors and her life. Please share this letter with her and her colleagues. I hope all can exemplify the wonderful work she performed in my life. She was truly a blessing!

As a token of my appreciation and special donation, please accept the enclosed check for $500.00. God bless you all and the wonderful service you provide!

Sincerely,

A Former VSC Client